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    The content on this page is not current guidance and is only for the purposes of the consultation process.

    Draft guidance consultation

    Closed for comments This consultation ended on at   Request commenting lead permission

    1 Recommendations

    1.1

    Ritlecitinib is not recommended, within its anticipated marketing authorisation, for treating severe alopecia areata in people 12 years and over.

    1.2

    This recommendation is not intended to affect treatment with ritlecitinib that was started in the NHS before this guidance was published. People having treatment outside this recommendation may continue without change to the funding arrangements in place for them before this guidance was published, until they and their NHS clinician consider it appropriate to stop. For young people, this decision should be made jointly by them, their clinician, and their parents or carers.

    Why the committee made these recommendations

    There is no standard treatment for severe alopecia areata, and access to treatment varies widely. Hair loss can cause severe psychological distress.

    Evidence from clinical trials shows that ritlecitinib is more effective than placebo at improving hair regrowth for up to 24 weeks. Ritlecitinib may improve quality of life, but it is not clear by how much.

    The most likely cost-effectiveness estimates for ritlecitinib are higher than what NICE normally considers an acceptable use of NHS resources. So, ritlecitinib is not recommended.